shipper or importer according to the Tons of Goods, which may either be exported or landed according to the rate specified in the Table, deducting therefrom one-sixth part which falls upon the Ship. While much consideration has been bestowed in framing the clauses in the Bill which relate to this object, with a view to prevent trouble; nothing can exceed in point of anxiety, the pains which have been taken to guard both the shippers and importers against frauds in proportioning the charge, so that no greater expence than the bona fide Tonnage shall fall upon the Merchants, which will be found in its innumerable subdivisions, to be a very trifling burden to the various classes of Importers and Exporters, who are to benefit so essentially by the very useful application of this inconsiderable sum of money.

Were its benefits to extend no farther than to restrain and keep within bounds, the evil habits and unprincipled dispositions of nautical labourers, and to guard the Shipping and the Port against accidents by fire or by tempestuous weather in the night, it would, to attain such objects, become a cheap purchase; but when it has been seen in this, and the preceding Chapters, that it is intended and expected, to compass the great object of renovating the relaxed morals of the lower classes who labour on the River, and to secure the vast floating Property from pillage and depredation; candour must admit, that even ten times the proposed sum would not be too

high a price for the benefits which are contemplated, and which will, most assuredly, result from the system, if the Bill, which has already been brought under the review of the Reader, shall pass into a law.

Under this mild and appropriate system of legislation, in framing which every aid that could be derived from labour and experience, has been exhausted to render it as perfect as possible, there will be no reason to apprehend any relaxation of the energy of the system. In whatever hands the superintending execution may be placed, it must retain its vigour and preserve its utility. To secure this essential point, without which, many of the best institutions moulder into sinecures, the powers of the mind have been anxiously employed in establishing checks, which cannot fail to secure a permanent energetic execution.(i) To the Commercial body, therefore, who trade to and from the Port of London, this Bill will prove a treasure which can never be sufficiently

(i) The uninterrupted energy of the system is secured by the power vested in the Commissioners, who manage the Police fund, to with-hold supplies, in case they are not satisfied with the proper conduct of those in the immediate management, or with respect to the advantages resulting from the Police in general, in securing Commercial Property against depredations.

The checks thus established, cannot fail to secure a permanent and unceasing attention to the means of supporting the system in its full vigour. Since the subsistence of those engaged in the exe cution, will depend on the energy they display, and the good effects which it produces.

2

estimated

estimated. The good effects which it will produce, will develope themselves every year in the removal of evils and pressures, in a manner hitherto conceived impracticable, because the labour of previous investigation was Herculean, and such as was not likely to be undertaken.

The ground, however, has been at length cleared. The evils have been brought within a focus capable of being contemplated, both in the mass and in the detail. Their extent and magnitude have been finally understood, and such remedies have been suggested, as, when fairly applied, will unquestionably be successful, if the System of Legislation which has been proposed shall receive the sanction of Parliament. An explanation of the advantages to be derived from this salutary measure, together with a summary view of the proposed Bill, will form the subject of the succeeding Chapter.

CHA P. IX.

A Summary Explanation of the advantages which will result from an improved System of Legislation for the River Thames.—A General View of the various powers and provisions of the proposed Bill, under twelve different heads, with explanatory notes.-The advantages of the System (when aided by pecuniary energy) explained, in counteracting the designs of evil disposed persons, and preventing Depredations on the River, Quays, Warehouses, &c.-The security thus obtained will result from the Design having its foundation in an improved Legislative System of Police Economy, having Magistrates armed with apposite and proper powers:-The advantages of such powers to Land-Constables, River-Patroles, &c. in giving effect to their exertions for the purpose of protecting Property.-The security and economy which will attach to the discharging System by the operation of the proposed Law, and the benefits which will be derived from the exercise of the powers and functions of the Commercial Commissioners-In the general security of Property; the increase of the Revenue; the improvement of the morals of the people; and holding out an example to every Commercial Port in the Kingdom.-Concluding Observations.

ALTHOUGH

ALTHOUGH

ALTHOUGH it must be evident from what has been already stated, that the completion of the System of Police for the River Thames, by placing it on the firm basis of Legislative Authority, must be productive of incalculable advantages to the Trade of the Port, yet it may be of importance, with a view to the further elucidation of this branch of the Subject, to give the following summary detail and explanation of the nature of these advantages, as resulting from the improvement of the Laws with respect to the River Police; and from the measures and arrangments which will be grounded on the Legislative and pecuniary energy, which will thus be created and rendered effective.

The leading objects of the THAMES POLICE BILL, which have been offered to the consideration of Government by the General Committee of Merchants, are these following

1. To extend the provisions of the Act of the 32 Geo. III. Cap. 53. (commonly called the Police Act,) so far as relates to the appointment of Special Justices, to sit at a Public Office, at or near Wapping New-Stairs, and to conduct and superintend the System of the Thames Police; with power to the Judicial Clerks to receive the established legal Fees, and to pay the same, together with penalties and forfeitures, into the hands of a General Receiver, towards a Fund for the Judicial Department of the general System,-called the Office Fund.